Travel in British Virgin Islands

New Report Guarantee

If you purchase a report that is updated in the next 60 days, we will send you the new edition and data extract FREE!

Executive Summary

New Report Guarantee

If you purchase a report that is updated in the next 60 days, we will send you the new edition and data extract FREE!

Exclusivity exploited to attract inbound tourists

The British Virgin Islands is advertised as an exclusive ‘secret’ destination, attracting tourists that are not necessarily interested in going to ‘touristy’ locations. Private islands are available in the British Virgin Islands for those tourists seeking to be away from the crowds. Throughout the review period, the country was promoted as a tourist destination with slogans such as “Nature’s Little Secrets” (2012), “Get in on the Secret” (2015), and “Let’s Keep This Between Us” (2016), targeting those travellers seeking exclusivity.

Online sales continue to grow

The complexity of many bookings and the nature of personal interaction in the national culture of the British version islands continue to support the predominance of offline value sales in travel and tourism. However, 2015 saw total positive growth in online sales across all travel and tourism categories. The popularity of media platforms and search engines continue to boost growth in sales as consumers search the internet to obtain information and complete purchases of travel and tourism products and services.

First direct flights to the British Virgin Islands from the US are announced

In 2015, BVI Airways entered into partnership with the government of the British Virgin Islands to launch the first ever direct flights from the country to the US. Autumn 2016 will see the airline begin direct flights between Beef Island and Miami. The main challenge inherent in attempts to increase inbound arrivals to the British Virgin Islands is the lack of direct flights to the country, meaning that all passengers arriving by air must take a connecting flight from one of the nearby islands. The addition of this direct flight is thus expected to greatly benefit travel and tourism in the British Virgin Islands.

Luxury tourists continue to be attracted to the British Virgin Islands

The British Virgin Islands is a sought-after tourism destination among some of the wealthiest citizens of the US. The luxury travel survey conducted by Resonance Consultancy in late 2015 found that the British version islands were ranked eighth among the top 10 preferred travel destinations among those of significant wealth. The British Virgin Islands continue to attract high-end yacht enthusiasts and senior members of the financial services industry, offering well-developed high-end restaurants and resorts. Furthermore, the BVI Luxury Road Show, held in the UK, promotes the British Virgin Islands as the luxury destination of choice for luxury goods consumers. The 60 islands that comprise the BVI are all considered great places for yachting, sailing and wreck diving.

Arrivals expected to continue growing over the forecast period

With increased airline capacity and cruise pier expansion, growth in inbound tourism in the British Virgin Islands is expected to continue throughout the forecast period. The US$83 million Tortola Pier Park is set to open in 2016, a five-acre land-based development that will feature commercial, entertainment and green spaces as well as consumer foodservice and retail facilities. Project such as this are expected to continue attracting foreign visitors to the British Virgin Islands.

Files are delivered directly into your account within a few minutes of purchase.